[Grammar] Regarding the usage of 's'

Status
Not open for further replies.

Joe333

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Tamil
Home Country
Sri Lanka
Current Location
Spain
Sentence:"Can a person outside of USA submits its resume ?"

My question/doubt: Should the word submit in the above sentence have "s" at is end ? Whatever English I know it suggests it should have "s" at end but I feel unsure about it! Dunno why ;-) So thought seek your confirmation/help. So please kindly give your valuable inputs.:)

Thanks
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Hi razer,

First, don't refer to a person as "it." (There are exceptions, but this is not one of them.)

The pronoun "their" is used for the singular when the gender is not known, but if you object to that, then ask if people can submit their resume.

Second, because you have the modal verb "can" the other verb will take the bare infinitive (that is, the "to VERB" form without the "to"), "submit."

He sees it. He can see it.
She goes there. She can go there.
He played the song flawlessly. He could play the song flawlessly.
Can someone outside the U.S. submit his or her resume?
 

Joe333

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Tamil
Home Country
Sri Lanka
Current Location
Spain
Yes, your huge experience detected it right sir I was treating ''to a person as "it", third person singular. Sir thanks a ton for your answer/help. Cleared a significant doubt today. I hate these "exceptions" whether they are in Physics, Chemistry, Maths or English; perhaps all students and learners do.:)
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Hi Razer,
I'm not a "sir" ;-)

(The exception would be when referring to a baby and you can't tell/don't know the sex. Has she had that baby yet? It was due last week! Did you see that baby with bumblebee costume? It was so cute!)

Take care!
 

Joe333

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Tamil
Home Country
Sri Lanka
Current Location
Spain
Ok, if not sir then sire :) Will show my gratitude by one way or another :)
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
How about "Barbara"? :)
 

Joe333

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Tamil
Home Country
Sri Lanka
Current Location
Spain
hmmmm..ok that will also do...Barbara :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top